NEW YORK — Philip Rivers' turnaround season has earned him The Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.

Rivers led the San Diego Chargers to a wild-card playoff spot with four straight victories to close out the schedule, giving them a 9-7 record. He led the league with a 69.5 completion percentage and threw for 32 TDs against 11 interceptions.

He received 13 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league. The balloting announced Saturday night was so widespread that 12 players got votes.